Spectacle or eyeglass case.



No. 677,753. Patented July 2, I901. W. E. BIRMINGHAM.

SPECTACLE 0R EYEGLASS CASE.

(Application filed May 4, 1900.)

(No Model.)

I p w I qafroznm i YR: NORRIS FEYEHS CO. PNOYQLITMOH WASHINGTON D. C.

UNITED STATES IVILLIAM E. BIRMINGHAM, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

SPECTACLE OR EYEGLASS CASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 677,753Jdated July 2 1901. 7

Application filed May 4, 1900. Serial No. 15,663. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM E. BIRMING- HAM, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Spectacle or Eyeglass Cases, which improvement isfully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawings.

Hy invention consists of an improved construction of a spectacle or eyeglass case,as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

Figure 1 represents a front elevation of a spectacle or eyeglass case embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a vertical transverse section on line 03 as, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 represents a perspective view of the back piece of the case. Fig. 4 represents a fragmentary perspective view of the back piece of the case, illustrating a modified construction embodying my invention. Fig. 5 represents a vertical transverse section on line a; a: of Fig. 1, with the flap or cover raised.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the figures.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the case, which consists, essentially, of a back' piece B, a front piece 0, and a flap or cover D. These parts are of usual construction, and the pocket formed between the back piece B and the front piece 0 may be provided with a distance-block E, as usual.

In accordance with my invention, the said back piece is provided at its upper edge with a flange F to provide a projecting ledge at the upper rear edge of the pocket that receives the spectacle or eyeglass and against which the nosepiece of the eyeglass or the frames of the spectacle are adapted to abut to prevent their accidental removal or prevent them from dropping out, although it does not overhang the said spectacles, which can be quickly and expeditiously removed from the case. In Fig. 3 the said flange F is shown as being formed integrally with the back piece-that is to say, it is made by bending forwardly the upper edge thereof; but in Fig. '4. is shown another construction. In Fig. 4: the flange Gis formed by the bent edge of a plate H, that is separate from the back piece, but which fits against the front side of the same between its side and bottom flanges and is suitably secured in place.

It is understood, of course, that the case is finished in the usual manner, having a suitable lining and covering and that the flap or cover D is hinged at its upper edge to the upper rear edge of the case-that is to say, the said hinge-joint is at the rear edge of the flange F or at the upper rearedge of the case.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A spectacle or eyeglass case, having a back piece, a front piece forming a'pocket, a flange projecting forwardly from the edge of the back piece opposite the mouth of said pocket, and a flap or cover hinged to the'back piece at the rear of said flange and at the junction of said flange and back piece, said flap or cover extending forwardly and over said flange.

2. A spectacle or eyeglass case having a I back piece, a plate secured against the front side thereof and having its upper edge flush with the upper edge of the back piece, afor- Wardly-projecting flange at the upper edge of said plate, a front piece forming a pocket opening toward said flange, and a flap or cover hinged to the upper edge of said back piece at the base of said flange.

3. A spectacle or eyeglass case, consisting of a back piece and a separate plate secured together side by side, a forwardly-projecting flange at the upper edge of said plate, a front piece forming a pocket opening toward said flange, and a flap or cover hinged to said back piece and extending forwardly and over said flange and the mouth of said pocket and adapted to be secured to said front piece.

4. A spectacle or eyeglass case consisting of a back piece and a front piece forming a pocket, the plane of said pocket being substantially parallel with said back piece, a flap or cover hinged to said back piece opposite the month of said pocket, and a flange projecting from the back piece opposite the mouth of said pocket and in front of the hinge connection between the flap or cover and back piece, said flange extending transversely to the plane of the pocket, and said flap or cover extending forwardly and over said flange.

WILLIAM E. BIRMINGHAM.

Witnesses:

JOHN A. WIEDERSHEIM, HARRY COBB KENNEDY. 

